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Quick, Lundqvist: Different styles, same success

Henrik Lundqvist got the picture of what his NHL mission would be the first time he walked into the New York Rangers' training facility and saw the photo of the franchise's 1994 Stanley Cup celebration

LOS ANGELES - Henrik Lundqvist got the picture of what his NHL mission would be the first time he walked into the New York Rangers' training facility and saw the photo of the franchise's 1994 Stanley Cup celebration.

"I've been walking by that photo every day for nine years," the Rangers goalie said. "I've seen myself being them."

Lundqvist, 32, long considered one of the NHL's elite goalies, is appearing in his first Stanley Cup Final. He has been the playoffs' biggest difference-maker, but his team is an underdog and his counterpart, Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, owns a championship ring and a history of playoff success.

Lundqvist has won an Olympic gold medal and a Vezina Trophy and Quick boasts a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

This could be the Stanley Cup Final's most intriguing goalie matchup since Patrick Roy faced Martin Brodeur in 2001.

"It's hard to imagine two guys playing so dissimilar in today's game," said former NHL forward Ray Ferraro, now a TSN analyst. "Maybe 25 years ago, guys had varying styles, but now everybody plays the same."

Lundqvist plays with his backside in his net and seems to fill up the entire frame. The aggressive Quick often pushes out above the blue paint to challenge a shooter.

"Watch how many times Quick stops it with his chest," Ferraro said. "He reminds me of Dominik Hasek. If you took away some of the crazy moves that Dom made, he was always square to the puck. And when Quick gets into trouble, he is not (square). But most of the time he is."

Lundqvist uses his size effectively. "Maybe there is more similarity than meets the eye," Ferraro said. "There's an internal fight to them both."

The perception is Quick hasn't played as sharply as when the Kings won the Cup in 2012. But he is 7-0 in elimination games and has made memorable saves in each win.

"I tell Jonathan all the time: You pick a goalie in one game, I want Jonathan Quick," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said.

If you ask the Rangers that question, they want Lundqvist, who heading into the Final had given up two or fewer goals in 15 of his 20 playoff starts this spring. He had yielded 15 goals in his previous nine starts before giving three goals on 43 shots on Wednesday. Quick has given up three or more goals in 11 of his 22 starts and 15 goals in his past four starts.

The Kings would argue that Quick has faced better competition in the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks. But Lundqvist has faced the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, who can find the back of the net.

"(Lundqvist) is the best goalie in the league, and having him back there you know if you make a little mistake, it's not going to cost you," Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi said

Rangers defenseman John Moore said it's exciting "to see the level (Lundqvist) has gotten to. ... He just wants it. He wants it more than anyone."

The Kings seem to have more swagger than the Rangers, and lot of their confidence comes from their aggressive goalie.

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The Stanley Cup Final features the Los Angeles Kings from the Western Conference and New York Rangers from the Eastern Conference. USA TODAY Sports' Jimmy Hascup ranks the most important players:
Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports